Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W 7505, Joseph Gafford, Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER
W.
Gafford, Joseph Mary
W 7505
CONTENTS

254
6413.
Rep.
Richmond Virginia
Mary Gafford
widow of Joseph Gafford
V a who was a Private
in the Revolution
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued to 26. day of Nov. 1844. and sent to W. J. B. Bedford Charlotte C. H. pa
[Act of March 3, 184]
Recorded in Book 1 9 June 17. 184
Vol. 2 Page 131.

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7 th July 1838, entitled "An Act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows —"
State of Virginia: Lee County to wit:
On this 7 th day of August - 1841, personally appeared before me a Justice of the peace in and for the County and State aforesaid Mary Gafford a resident of said County and State, aged 33 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath, make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed July 7 th 1838, entitled "An Act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows —"
That she is the widow of Joseph Gafford, late of the said County and State, who was a private in the Continental and Militia service of Virginia in the War of the Revolution — She declares that she has no personal knowledge of the services of her late husband in the Revolutionary Army, not having married him until after the close of the War — She has often and repeatedly heard him say in his life time and also others who served with him, that he was engaged in actual service in the Army, for a considerable length of time; that he was engaged in several battles and suffered many hardships and privations during the time; all of which she honestly believes to be true and correct — That from bodily infirmity old age and the consequent loss of memory she cannot call to recollection the particulars of her husband's service as related by him: she therefore prefers to rely on the statement of others who served with him whose certificates accompany this Declaration to any statement that she individually can make on the subject — That for the

same reason within stated, she cannot say with any degree of certainty how long he was in actual service altogether but would suppose he served at the least two years, for which length she claims a pension — In support of her claim, she refers to the Army Records of the period and the accompanying Testimony of competent and credible persons, who served with him in the Army of the Revolution —
She further declares, that she was married to the said Joseph Gafford, on the 23 rd day of December 1786 that her husband the aforesaid Joseph Gafford, died on the 25 th day of October 1806; that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first day of January, Seventeen hundred and ninety four: to wit at the time above stated
Mary X Gafford mark Gafford
sworn to and subscribed before me a Justice of the peace in and for the County and State aforesaid This 7 day of August 1841 —
JP
State of Virginia: Lunenburg County to wit:
I do hereby certify, that I am well acquainted with Mary Gafford, the widow of Joseph Gafford deceased, and do consider her from bodily infirmity, old age and other causes totally unfit and unable to attend the County Court of Lunenburg in order to make the foregoing Declaration — I further certify, that she is a credible person, and her statement entitled to full confidence — Given under my hand this 7 th day of August 1841 —
JP

Officer Tavern. No. 3 July 21st
W. B. Diefenbach esquire
Alto at Saco.
Charlotte Co. N. H.
Mail 3
July 21st 1843 Note to the bearer in Revolutionary pension.
99th Regt. N. H. Vols. Mary Gafford for a pension on her husband, d. 1838

When we were by these present there in, Joseph Gifford, and Abraham Powell, we have made jointly bound unto the Honorable Edmund Randolph Esq. Governor of Virginia in the sum of Fifty pounds, current money of Virginia to the which payment well and truly to be made in kind moneys or their value within yearly and severally jointly by the above bound. Sealed with our seals and dated this 23 rd day of December 1786 - In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands, the above bound Joseph Gifford & Mary Powell.
The condition of the above obligation is such that if there be an lawful cause to obstruct this said marriage then the above obligation to be void else to remain in full force and virtue.
Sealed & delivered in presence of The Witness: Deering
Joseph his mark Gifford and Abraham Powell
To Clerk of Court
Sir I desire to let Joseph Gifford have a heir to marry my daughter Mary Powell.
Sister Abraham Powell John Powell
I am Sir yours &c
John Powell 22 nd Decemr 1786

State of Virginia, Arlington County to wit:
I, Robert E. Leigh, Clerk of the County Court of Alexandria, in the State of Virginia, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the marriage bond of Joseph Gifford to the Commonwealth, and also a true copy of the certificate of John Bausel, the originals of both of which are now remaining filed among the records.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this the first day of July 1841.
Robt E. Leigh
State of Virginia, Arlington County to wit:
I, James P. Burke, presiding Magistrate, of the County Court of Alexandria in the State of Virginia, do hereby certify that Robert E. Leigh who has given the preceding certificate, is Clerk of said Court, and that his said attestation is in due form.
Given under my hand and seal this 5 th day of July 1841.
James P. Burke (seal)

City Office. Austin.
1841 July 21
Dear Sir
I have the pleasure to send you attached the copy requested which should have been sent earlier but for the difficulty of communicating with the Presiding Magistrate.
This is the second bill I have sent you, upon which the tax is due. Copy seal & envelope 17 3/4 each making $3.58
Very Respectfully &c
J. H. [Signature]
Mr. Bedford

Very  WIDOW, &c.
File No. 7505
Mary Gafford wid.
Joseph Gafford Bt. Rev. War-
Act: March 20th 1837  James M. [?]
Index:—Vol. 88 , Page 263
[Arrangement of 1870.]

8808
Ms. A. 9. 2. 20
Virginia
Mary Gafford widow of Joseph Gafford who was a pensioner under the Act of - and who died on the 29 Oct o 1806. of , in the State of Pa who was a Private in the Ar commanded by Captain of the commanded by in the Y a Pont n line for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of Richmond at the rate of 80 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 21 st day of October 1844 and sent to W. J. B. Bedford, Charlotte Co Va
Total amount, $400 00
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by J. Swann Clerk. Book L Vol. 1 Page 269.

Mary Gafford
acts 438 441
$80 per a
W. J. B. Bedford Charlotte C. H. Va

State of Virginia - Charlotte Ct: House Novr 1 st 1844-
Sir,
I send you enclosed the Decla- ration of Mrs Gafford for a Pension under the act of March 3 d 1843, -
As her agent and Attorney you will please report to me -
Very respectfully
Wm J. B. Bedford
J. L. Edwards Esqr - Commr. of Pensions - Washington City -

July 25 1838
Va
Adolph
Mary Gafford,
widow of Joseph Gafford, Rivalle
Virginia Continental line - two years
$80 per year.
married 23 Dec. 1786
husband died 29 Oct. 1806
act July '38
Virginia Roll Richmond Agency
Send cert: to
W. J. B. Bedford
Charlotte C.H. Va
Washington Com City P. O.
Pensions

State of Virginia Charlotte C. T. H.
Decr. 23 d . 1843.
Sir,
You will find enclosed the Pension papers of Mrs. Mary Gafford, or Gifford, who claims under the Act of July 7 th 1838. These papers were referred the last winter improperly to one of the Standing Committees of the House by the Hon E. W. Hubbard, instead of forwarding them to your office. He withdrew them recently, as will be found by reference to proceedings of the House of the 18 th instant.
If you have the Roll of Capt. Holmes' Company of Regulars from Chesterfield, I am instructed to say, the name of Mr. Gafford, or Gifford, will be found thereon. She has been unable as yet to obtain direct testimony. I act as her Agent and Attorney.
I am very respectfully your. Obt. Servt
J. L. Edwards esq. Commr. of Pensions Washington City.
Wm. J. B. Bedford

William J B Bedford
at
} Prince Edward Island

lest you will receive my deposition as far as known upon Mrs Gafford's claim if it be of any amount. Mrs Gafford is dead.
I am yr & Strictly
Wm B. Bedford
July 10 th 1844.

State of Virginia Charlotte Ct. House
July 20 th 1844.
Sir,
Yours of the 14 th June, 1844, ad- dressed to Hon. E. W. Hubbard of the House of Representatives, in relation to the Pension Claim of Mrs. Mary Gafford, widow of Joseph Gafford deceased, has been handed over to me -
I now enclose you some additional evi- dence to be filed in the case: the affidavit of Capt David Street of Lumburg, who was intimate with Mr. Gafford & family, and who saw the discharge of Mr. Gafford, which it ap- pears has been destroyed - I send you the paper as sent to me by Capt Street himself - all of which I trust will prove satisfactory -
In the absence of Col Hubbard from Wash- ington City, I am the Agent and Attorney of Mrs. Gafford -
I am very respectfully your Obedt. Servt &c
Wm. J. B. Bedford
L. Edwards Esqr Commr. of Pensions -

Washington June 8 th 1874.
Dear Sir
Permit me to invite your early attention to the within letter, and to ask the favor of your reply to inform me, so that I may reply there to; also be so good as to return the letter now sent.
Yr. No. At. Sect.
E. H. Hubbard

House of Representatives Dec 21 19 th 1873.
Dear Sir:
Mr. letter of the 3 rd inst. came duly to hand, and I have availed my- self of the earliest opportunity to get the papers asked for withdrawn and have now the pleasure to forward them.
Yr. mo. ob. serv. Jno. H. ...

9976- Declaration of Mary Gafford for a Pension under Act July 7. th 1838-
m 86-

This is to certify that...
I do hereby certify that according to my best knowledge and belief, the within copy of the County of Linnubury Register of the birth of the late 29th May to October 1806 lying at the time of my death in the widow Mary Gafford, who is still alive resident in the County of Linnubury and that she has not been intermarried but continues the widow of the said William Gafford deceased.
D. Street
sworn to and subscribed before me a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County of Linnubury. I am a credible person and the within copy is to all intents and purposes a true copy of the original. Given under my hand. This 7th day of August 1841.
J. D. P.
Consciousness was taken of the within copy of the Register of Births of the late William Gafford, late of the County of Linnubury, who at the time of his death was the lawful husband of the within Mary Gafford, and that the said William Gafford at the time of his death was the lawful husband of the said Mary Gafford.
at the 9th day of August 1841.
D. Street

In Surry County, North Carolina, 19 August 1841
On motion the declaration, along with the accompanying papers, and evidence, for a pension, under the act of July 9 th 1838, was presented in open court, and the whole of the paper read and fully explained to the entire satisfaction of the court, and the court found that the said declaration with accompanying papers, be certified to the War Department.
Copy to be sent to the War Department
State of Georgia, Screven County to wit:
I, William H. Taylor, Clerk of the Superior Court of Screven County, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true transcript from the record of the said court, and that the same is correct and ought to be given to the said War Department. In testimony whereof I have subscribed my name and affixed the seal of the said court this 19 th day of August 1841.
W. H. Taylor
m 86-
Under Act July 9 th 1838
Mary Gafford for a Pension
9976- Declaration of

State of Virginia Lunenburg County to wit The deposition of David Street now in his twenty fifth year. This Deponent sayeth that he was or became acquainted with Joseph Gafford who moved from the County of Amelia State Va about in the year 1794 that time before on Nottoway River adjoining to Lunenburg County and that this deponent has heard said Gafford often mentioning being in the Army of the Revolutionary War, and that enlisted under Capt Isaac Holmes, of Amelia County, and that he had his discharge to that effect, that he afterwards moved into the County of Lunenburg and as this Deponent thinks about about the year 1800 or 1801 or thereabouts that his widow Mary Gafford has lived near or in the neighbourhood since and this Deponent recollects of Mrs Mary Gafford having in her possession the discharge of Joseph Gafford and that Isaac Holmes name was mentioned in it and that some fifteen or twenty years ago of her saying that William Turnbull her son in law had burnt. Some other papers among them the discharges of her husband. Saying they were of no account that she was from Home when he did it Mary Gafford was the wife of Joseph Gafford in the year 1794 and has been his widow ever since his death she is now between 80 & 90 years old and a very poor woman in deed of this Deponent
D Street
for Lunenburg Co.
The foregoing deposition of David Street written by himself was this day taken, subscribed and sworn to before me Gillie M. Bacon a Justice of the peace in and for the County of Lunenburg in the state of Virginia and I further certify that I am well acquainted with the said David Street and he is a highly credible witness - Given under my hand this 8 th day of July 1844. Gillie M Bacon JP

Virginia: Fauquier County (to wit)
I William H Taylor (Clerk of the county court of Fauquier in the state of Virginia do hereby Cer- tify that Giller M Bacon whose name is subscribed to the foregoing certificate, is a magistrate as therein stated, and that the signature thereto purporting to be his is genuine. In Witness whereof I have affixed the seal of the said court and subscribed my name this 10 th day of July 1844
W. H. Taylor

State of Virginia: Lunenburg County to wit:
I John Crafton do hereby certify, that I was intimately acquainted with Joseph Gafford formerly of Chesterfield, and late of Lunenburg County in the War of the Revolution: According to my best recollection, at this time, he served a considerable length of time in the Revolutionary War, but how long altogether, I cannot state with exactness - said Joseph Gafford, I recollect distinctly, enlisted for 3 years in 1777, under Capt. Holmes, in Chesterfield, and served that term faithfully - I was with him in the Militia from Lunenburg at Yorktown, and know he served nearly 3 months on that occasion - I am in the 80 th year of my age, and was a soldier of the Revolution -
Virginia: Lunenburg County to wit:
This day John Crafton came before me a Justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid, and made oath to the foregoing certificate subscribed by him, in my presence - I further certify that he is a credible person, and his statements entitled to full confidence - Given under my hand This 8 th day of June, 1840 -
John Crafton

State of Virginia, Fauquier County to wit,
I William H Taylor Clerk of the county Court of Fauquier in the state of Virginia, do hereby certify that Thomas H Staples is a Magistrate as within stated, and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine. In Witness whereof I have hereunto annexed the seal of the said court, and subscribed my name, this 8 day of June 1840.
W H Taylor
W

6647. Declaration of Mary Gafford for a Pension under Act March 3 d 1843.

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress of the 3 d of March 1843, granting pensions for one year to certain widows who have received pensions under the act of July 7 th 1838~
State of Virginia: Linnunburg County to wit:
On this 31 st day of October, 1844 personally appeared before me David son a Justice of the peace in and for the County and State aforesaid, Mary Gafford a resident of the County of Linnunburg and State of Virginia aged 87 years who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed on the 3 d of March 1843, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War~
That she is the widow of Joseph Gafford deceased, who was a Private in the Virginia Continental line in the War of the Revolution. That under the act of Congress of the 7 th July, 1838, she was allowed a Pension for five years, at the rate of Eighty dollars per annum, commencing on the 4 th of March, 1836 and ending on the 4 th of March 1841, which pension Certificate she has just received and dated 21 st October 1844 and which will be surrendered at the Pension Agency at Richmond for payment in a short time. She further declares that she is still a widow and has never intermarried~
Her Mary X Gafford X mark

State of Virginia: Lunenburg County to wit:
This day Mary Gafford (the widow of Joseph Gafford, deceased,) with whom I am personally acquainted, came before me a Justice of the peace in and for the County and State aforesaid and made oath in due form of law to the foregoing Declaration, and subscribed the same in my presence. I further certify, that she is the identical widow, (of Joseph Gafford) to whom a Pension was allowed under the Act of Congress of the 4 th July, 1838, and certificate dated 24 th October 1844, and that she is still a widow and has never intermarried. Given under my hand this 31 st day of October, 1844.
David Street J.P.
I further certify from my own personal knowledge that she is too old and infirm to attend the County Court of Lunenburg, to make the foregoing Declaration.
David Street J.P.
State of Virginia, Lunenburg County (to wit)
I William H. Taylor Clerk of the county court of Lunenburg in the state of Virginia, do hereby certify, that David Street is a Magistrate as above, and that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his are genuine. In Testimony whereof I have subscribed my name & affixed my official seal this 31 st day of October 1844.
W. H. Taylor